banquet vs picnic

just a few minutes ago, i was reading a friend's blog about our campus ministries looking more like a picnic, rather than a banquet.  both images are biblical - The Parable of the Wedding Banquet, Mt 22:1-14 and the Feeding of the 5000, Mt 14:13-21.  however, i as reflect on these two stories, i am left with a few thoughts.

first in the example of the wedding banquet, we are in control.  we plan the time, date, menu, who attends, etc - and we decided WHERE it is going to be.  i think far too often the church operates out of this mentality - we make all the rules and decisions, and then you either join us or not!

in the instance of the feeding of the 5000, jesus and the disciples are totally dependant on external factors.  they never meant to host a 'picnic' - in fact, they were trying to get away from the crowds and the demands, but the people followed THEM.  they didn't have the food, and were totally reliant on the little boy who offered to share.  certainly they had no control over who was present, and we can only assume that ALL were fed [since the 5000 only included the men].  i wonder what 'church' would look like if we operated out of these ideals rather than the previous?

in a few days, the students at furman will return for another year of study.  as i sit in my office, mind FILLED with thoughts of the new year, i am hoping that i can pack my picnic basket and enter those moments in the students lives that scream - 'give us this bread always!'  as my leadership team plans their year, i am hopeful that together we can ditch the "we've built it, now let's hope they come," and replace it with the idea of taking one of those 12 baskets [left over from the feeding story] and meet others along the way feeding their spiritual hunger. 

i have long believed in a ministry of presence, may god give me the presence to realize where the ministry place are!

here is the blog by Guy Chmieleski from Faith on Campus: http://faithoncampus.com/how-portable-is-your-ministry/.  Thanks Guy for your inspiration!